JP4885270B2 - Method and apparatus for use and management of electronic files - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Description

  This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 747,092, filed May 11, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Shall be.

  Existing file usage and management systems, including existing file exchange systems, typically make a copy of the file. Such an implementation may infringe copyright law. What is needed is a system and method of file usage and management that avoids making a copy of the file.

  In a particular aspect of the invention, storing a first copy of an audio file, wherein the first copy of the audio file is owned by a first party that does not store the first copy of the audio file. Receiving a request for playback of the audio file, verifying that the request is from a first party, and a signal representative of the first copy of the audio file Sending to one or more playback devices associated with a party so that the playback device receives the signal and as soon as any part of the audio file receives that part of the audio file Store longer than the minimum time that the playback device may need to play that part. To, to play the audio file, it is operable, including the fact, method is provided.

  In another aspect of the invention, storing a first copy of a file associated with a first party, wherein the first party has ownership of the first copy of the file; The file is a copyrightable representation and playback of the first copy of the file on the device associated with the first party without creating a second copy of the file. A method is provided.

  In yet another aspect of the invention, storing a copy of each of a plurality of files, each copy being associated with a first party having ownership of each stored copy of the file. And providing a first party with remote playback of any copy of the file without infringing the copyright of the copyright owner of the file.

  In yet another aspect of the invention, storing multiple copies of a file, each copy being associated with a different party, each party owning at least one of the stored copies of the file A method is provided that includes authorizing and providing those parties with concurrent remote playback of a copy of the file without infringing the copyright of the copyright owner of the file.

  In a further aspect of the invention, storing multiple copies of a file, the copies being associated with an organization, the organization having ownership of those copies, and multiple parties As a member of an organization and providing those members with concurrent remote playback of a copy of the file without infringing the copyright of the copyright owner of the file. The

  In a further aspect of the invention, storing a copy of a file associated with a first party, wherein the first party has ownership of the copy of the file and the ownership is constrained. And providing the first party with remote playback of a copy of the file without infringing the copyright of the copyright owner of the file and without infringing the restrictions. A method is provided.

  In a further aspect of the invention, an interface module configured to request playback of a first copy of a file associated with a first party, wherein the first party An interface module that has ownership of one copy and the file is a copyrightable representation, and a file playback module coupled to the interface module that receives a first copy of the file Thus, an apparatus for file playback is provided that includes a file playback module configured for parallel playback without storage.

  Other features and aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a first exemplary method according to some embodiments of the invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a second exemplary method according to some embodiments of the invention.

  The present invention provides for file playback for playback / access or sale / exchange by the owner of the file without infringing the copyright the copyright owner has on the file (eg, audio track, video, etc.). It may be used to facilitate online storage. For example, the present invention provides a playback service that does not remember an additional version of an audio file when the audio file is sent to the user device and played immediately on the user device without buffering. Avoid infringing copyright law by not making a copy of the file.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides an exchange service 102, a storage service 104, and a playback service 106 within a system 100, respectively, for files. A system 100 may be included that provides for exchange, storage, and / or playback / access. As indicated above, the system 100 of the present invention may include, for example, music tracks, application service provider (ASP) data, objects, and / or application files, software applications, data or graphics collections (eg, LEXIS ( (Registered trademark) database information, various directories, maps, etc.), configured to work with any number of different file types including movies, TV shows, video games, animations, computer presentations, websites, news feeds, etc. May be. As used herein, and unless otherwise stated, the term playback refers to playing a file or part of a file, or accessing a file or part of a file ( accessing).

  The switching service 102 or function according to the present invention may be implemented as a computer server or host running one or more software applications and / or operating systems (OS). In some embodiments, an operator may control aspects of the server's operation, and in other embodiments, the server may be fully automated. The exchange service 102 may be another device, server, or service (eg, storage service 104), eg, directly via a secure network, or indirectly, eg, via an intermediate server or the Internet 114. , Playback service 106, user devices 108, 110, 112, file distribution servers, etc.) and may communicate therewith. The user may be, for example, a cellular phone, a network computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a satellite radio receiver, a media player that may be modified to access the network (eg, Apple® )) IPod (iPod (registered trademark)), SanDisk (registered trademark) Sansa (registered trademark), Toshiba (Toshiba (registered trademark) Gigabeat (registered trademark)), etc. ), WiFi devices (including, for example, laptop computers, Nokia (R) 770 Internet tablets (Internet Table (R)), etc.) Via the user device 108, 110 may access the exchange service 102, or may receive those transmitted from the exchange service 102. In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may include an interface 116 (eg, a user and / or operator interface) implemented as a web page (eg, an HTML or XML-based World Wide Web (WWW) page). However, in other embodiments, the user equipment may include interfaces 118, 120, 122.

  Exchange service 102 may include facilities for closing financial transactions, barter transactions, or other transactions. For example, the exchange service 102 may be directed to a bank, credit card company, other secure financial institution, and / or an automated clearing house (ACH) network operated by the Federal Reserve. Security features and protocols configured to allow the connection. The exchange service 102 may further be configured to purchase and transfer files from other parties that sell any of various types of files. The exchange service 102 may store such a file using, for example, a storage service 104, described in detail below.

  The exchange service 102 may include an audit function that provides accounting information and a file verification function. For example, the exchange service 102 verifies that at any given moment, all files in the domain of the exchange service 102 are verified as “legal”, non-pirated, copyright-compliant copies of the file. Allows each instance of a copy of the file to be unique (eg, by assigning or associating a serial number and / or by using an electronic “watermark” embedded in the contents of the file) Means for identifying may be included. Furthermore, the exchange service 102 may store historical information regarding who purchased and sold a particular instance of the file so that a change in ownership may be revealed. The exchange service 102 may also include a program for aggregating and / or aggregating ownership transition information along with other transaction information, such as market price and time, to reveal marketing information. Good. In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may use such information to set the price of the file.

  In operation, the exchange service 102 may serve as a convenient means for reselling or obtaining a previously owned and new copy of a file. In other words, the exchange service 102 may serve as a marketplace for purchasing and selling “legal”, non-piracy, copyright-compliant copies of files. The exchange service 102 can be used for transactions between many different parties, such as transactions between two or more users (eg, exchange service members, customers, subscribers, anonymous parties, etc.), retailers (eg, iTunes ( transactions between iTunes (registered trademark), Napster (registered trademark), Walmart (such as Walmart (registered trademark)) and users, transactions between retailers and storage service 104 (described below) Transactions between the user and the storage service 104, transactions between the retailer and the storage service 104 on behalf of the user (with or without user participation in the transaction), etc. may be facilitated. In a transaction between the retailer and the storage service 104 on behalf of the user, the user may not be aware that the file has been purchased from the retailer on behalf of the user. In some embodiments, the custody service 104 may store the user's financial account information and simply receive authorization to make purchases for that user.

  For example, a user who normally listens to music on a Palm® Treo® smartphone may browse the interface website 116 maintained by the exchange service 102. The website 116 may list a number of music tracks that can be purchased, along with their current prices. Each list item for a particular track may correspond to a particular instance of a copy of a music track, for example, stored using storage service 104. The user may select the desired truck for purchase, at which time the exchange service 102 will debit the user's bank or credit card account and transfer ownership of the purchased truck, It may be established in the storage service 104. The actual transfer involves selling data bits representing ownership, access and / or playback rights (eg, rights associated with a file that is a purchased music track), and new ownership of the track by the purchaser. It may include simply changing to reflect the removal of rights from the party. In this way, the file can be processed in various ways without making any additional copies of the file and at the same time ensuring that the copyright owner's copyright of the file being purchased and sold is not infringed. It may be purchased and sold by a party. In situations where the file is not yet stored in the storage service 104, a medium (eg, CD or DVD) containing a legitimate copy of the file is added to the file repository 124 of the storage service, as described in detail below. As such, it may be physically sent to the storage service 104. In such embodiments, the exchange service 102 may verify and / or provide verification that only one copy of a given instance of the file copy is allowed to exist. May work. In other words, the exchange service 102 verifies that the medium containing the copy of the file is destroyed immediately after or while the file is placed in the repository 124 of the storage service. Also good. In some embodiments, the file repository 124 of the storage service may include media. Similarly, during playback, to verify that only one copy of a given instance of a file copy is allowed to exist and / or to serve to provide verification The exchange service 102 may be integrated with the playback service 106 (described below).

  As indicated above, the exchange service 102 may record transaction information associated with the file and store a history of this information. Aggregation of this information can be set up for pricing, determining the value of the file, for marketing or advertising purposes, for inventory management purposes (eg, providing additional related products or services) It may be used to create or provide upsell opportunities, to determine membership levels / status / qualifications, and to perform audits. This information may also be used to allow the exchange service 102 or an integrated service such as the storage service 104 to purchase / obtain files for sale to the user. The information may also be used to determine the demand for a particular file and / or to determine an appropriate price that the exchange service 102 should pay to obtain the file, eg, for resale. Good. In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may also use the aggregated information to predict the future demand for the file and to provide a buyback guarantee or provision to the purchaser of the file. Good. Such provisions are applicable if the purchaser cannot sell the file to a third party on a certain date in the future, for example after the purchaser has accessed the file or played the file. And / or whenever a purchaser desires, allows the file to be sold back to the exchange service 102 at a predetermined price. The buy back price may be determined at the time of the first sale or at a later date. The buy back price may be a function of transaction information or other factors. The buyback policy may be optional, and the default selection may affect the initial purchase price, positively, or negatively. In an alternative embodiment, a buyback policy may be mandatory. In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 can aggregate demand for a particular file to purchase multiple copies of the file at a bulk purchase discount rate on behalf of multiple users. Good. Thus, the exchange service 102 facilitates transactions that do not infringe copyright. The exchange service 102 may further provide verification of the absence or destruction of the file copy, may be integrated with the custody service 104 to establish a legal transfer while recording all transactions, It may then be integrated with the playback service 106 to allow the use of the transferred file without infringing the copyright.

  Exchange service 102 may be configured to support many different types of transactions. In addition to fixed price transactions, the service 102 may provide dynamic pricing based on any number of different factors. For example, the price may be continuously adjusted based on a market price, determined by the exchange service 102 or determined based on ask / bid information (eg, similar to a stock market). In some embodiments, transactions involving the purchase or sale of a large collection of files (or at least two or more files) from one or more parties to one or more parties may be supported. . Pricing may also be dynamic and may include adjustments up or down, for example, for competing collection premiums and for bulk purchase discounts. The exchange service 102 may further support transactions in the form of auction sales, lending, borrowing, composite / multi-party transactions (eg, purchases with resale guarantees), buyback commitments, conditional sales, and the like. For example, the sale of the file may be either unconditional or conditional (eg, a user selling the file may retain the option to later buy back the file). For example, a user who purchases a music file from a seller may want the seller to play music at a future market price, for example, or at a predetermined portion of the sale price (eg, what price the purchaser paid). Also supports transactions where the seller must agree that he or she may repurchase 90 percent (or 110 percent) of the purchaser) or at a given price, eg 10 cents. May be. Such repurchase rights may be constrained at certain times (eg, after 30 days, within one hour after another person has played at least three times) or at any time at the merchant's discretion. In some embodiments, repurchase rights provisions may be shown on the interface 118 of the user device 108 for interacting with the exchange service 102, the storage service 104, and / or the playback service 106, and / or Alternatively, the exchange service 102, storage service 104, and / or playback service 106 may be shown on the interfaces 116, 126, 128, respectively (eg, a list containing files with buy-back rules is such It has a specific color that is different from a file that has no provision).

  The exchange service 102 of the present invention may be further configured to support a variety of different revenue models. For example, the exchange service 102 may charge a user for each transaction executed on behalf of a buyer and / or seller for any of a variety of different types of transaction types. Fees may be fixed or due to various factors such as, for example, transaction type, transaction volume / price, user membership level, frequency of previous transactions, commitment to conduct future transactions, etc. It may vary based on. The exchange service 102 may additionally, or alternatively, earn revenue based on subscription and / or membership fees, and to the buyer and / or seller during and / or after the transaction. Revenue may be earned based on offered upsell offerings, and may be earned by selling advertising opportunities to third parties, for example, related or unrelated services, products, and Revenue by providing access to users and / or providing user information to third parties for purposes such as providing information, selling transaction information and marketing data, selling file popularity information, etc. May be obtained.

  The exchange service 102 of the present invention may be further configured to support various “sale / purchase rights”. For example, purchase rights for a particular file may be determined based on the first user pricing the file. This may be referred to as a time based right to buy. Similarly, the service 102 supports a time based right to cell that allows the person who originally provided the file for sale to be sold to the original buyer. Also good. Alternatively or secondarily, the sales or purchase rights may be based on delivery (eg, the first seller who delivered the file to the system, or the first buyer who made the payment). The exchange service 102 of the present invention further provides various types of financial instruments (eg, futures contracts, option contracts, repurchase agreements, etc., exchanged at an exchange, and files based on the file as the underlying product, and It may be configured to support the sale of derivatives that are not exchanged on the exchange. In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may share a share of equity interest in the copyright of the file, eg, in the form of an initial public offering sold via the exchange service 102. The sale may provide a means for allowing the copyright owner to raise funds.

  The storage service 104 or function according to the present invention may also be implemented as a computer server or host running one or more software applications and / or operating systems (OS). In some embodiments, an operator may control aspects of the server's operation, and in other embodiments, the server may be fully automated. The custody service 104 may be another device, server, or service (eg, an exchange), eg, directly via a secure network, or indirectly, eg, via an intermediate server or the Internet 114. Service 102, playback service 106, user devices 108, 110, 112, file distribution servers, etc.) and may communicate therewith. The storage service 104 may include a repository 124 that includes an electronic data storage array, such as, for example, a networked RAID system and / or robotic media input device and reader. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 is a medium (eg, CD, DVD, etc.) with files such that the service 104 stores at least one CD for each music album included in the repository 124, for example. May be stored. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 is not directly accessed or used by a user and as a “back end” service that interacts only with front end services, such as the exchange service 102 and playback service 106, for example. May be implemented. In some embodiments, however, the user may be modified to access a cellular phone, network computer, wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device, satellite radio receiver, network, for example. (For example, Apple (Apple (registered trademark)) iPod (iPod (registered trademark)), SanDisk (registered trademark) Sansa (registered trademark), Toshiba (Toshiba (registered trademark)) Including Gigabeat (Gigabeat®), Wi-Fi devices (including laptop computers, Nokia® 770 Internet Tablet (Internet Table®), etc.) To, via a variety of different user devices 108, 110 may be directly accessed storage service 104, or may receive those transmitted from the storage service 104 directly. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may include an interface 126 (eg, a user and / or operator interface) implemented as a web page (eg, an HTML or XML-based World Wide Web (WWW) page). However, in other embodiments, user devices 108, 110, 112 may include interfaces 118, 120, 122, respectively.

  The storage service 104 may include an audit function that provides tracking information and a file verification function. For example, the archiving service 104 may verify that at any given moment, all files in the archiving service 104 domain are verified as “legal”, non-piracy, copyright compliant, file copies. Each instance of a copy of the file (eg, by assigning or associating a serial / identification number and / or by using an electronic “watermark” embedded in the contents of the file) Means for uniquely identifying may be included. In addition, the archiving service 104 stores historical information regarding where a particular instance of a file came from and / or where it went so that a chain of custody may be revealed. Also good. The storage service 104 may provide storage chain information, for example, the time held by an entity, or a copy of a particular file stored in the storage service repository 124 to reveal marketing or inventory management information. A program may be included to aggregate and / or aggregate with other transfer information, such as numbers. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may provide such information to the exchange service 102, for example.

  In operation, the archiving service 104 may function as a convenient means that allows a user not to worry about maintaining or archiving media containing files. The archiving service 104 may provide secure, reliable, guaranteed storage and management of digital files. Such a service 104 frees the user from the need to have large memory and hard disk capacity, and further frees the user from the need to have expensive backup devices, fragile backup media, and time consuming backup procedures. The vault service 104 may store the files in a universally accessible, secure and secured repository 124. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may provide a backup service and a file format conversion service. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may allow a user to access the functionality of the exchange service 102, for example, to transfer ownership of a file without having to make a copy. Similarly, the storage service 104 may allow a user to access the functionality of the playback service 106, for example, to play or use a file without having to make a copy.

  In some embodiments, the storage service 104 and / or the repository 124 may be geographically distributed to facilitate playback at multiple geographically diverse locations. The storage service 104 may provide load balancing between geographically distributed redundant servers to help prevent delays in the functionality of the playback service 106. In some embodiments, the custody service 104 is for certifying that the system is in compliance with copyright law, and for authorizing alternative revenue models and marketing opportunities for the copyright owner, and An audit function or service for collecting marketing information may be provided. The storage service 104 may provide verification of file integrity, authenticity, and originality. For example, the storage service 104 may compare the newly received copy of the file against a known authentic copy to verify the integrity of the file. Storage service 104 may provide inventory and file index management to users, systems 100 including system components, and third parties (eg, retailers, merchants, advertisers, copyright owners, etc.). .

  In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may support various membership or usage models. For example, a user may be required to purchase a subscription for a certain fee, or to donate files to a service (eg, if a user has donated X files, the user will be in Y Gb You may store the file). In some embodiments, use of the service 104 may be conditioned on a user acquiring or purchasing an equity ownership share within the service 104. The use of service 104 may be based on a per-use payment. For example, the price per user may be determined based on how much of the user's data or how many of the user's files are stored in the service repository 124. In some embodiments, the use of service 104 may be contingent on the use of other services. For example, if the user has transferred Z files via the exchange service 102, or has played X files via the playback service 106, the user may store the Y Gb file. .

  In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may be configured to utilize a user's hard drive (eg, in the user device 108) for local storage. For example, the storage service 104 may make the portion of the user's hard drive a part of a distributed network for storing encrypted files that only the storage service 104 or the playback service 106 can directly access. In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may be configured to collect, log, aggregate, and calculate usage information. For example, the storage service 104 may collect playback, transfer, and storage statistics for files in the domain of the storage service 104 or other service domains. For example, the custody service 104 may have information indicating which files it has logged, when, where and by whom. This data may be useful and may therefore be aggregated and sold. In some embodiments, this data may be aggregated in a format similar to the top 10 songs (Magazine's Top Ten Songs) of the Billboard magazine. However, the popularity of a music track can be determined much more accurately based on the number of user playbacks that occur during the week than on the number of times played by the radio station during the week. There is sex. In some embodiments, file access may simply be tracked (eg, in a chart of how many times a particular artist's song has been played this year).

  In some embodiments, the storage service 104 may be configured to purchase or obtain files directly from retailers and / or merchants on behalf of the user. For example, the storage service 104 may download a track directly from iTunes for the user in response to a user request to the storage service 104. In another example, a user may initiate a purchase from iTunes, and the storage service 104 completes the transaction, downloads the track to the storage service repository 124, and takes ownership of the track. It may be recorded as the ownership of the purchasing user. In yet another example, a user may allow iTunes to send purchased tracks to the storage service 104.

  As indicated above, the storage service 104 (or exchange service 102) may work as a market player or market maker. In some embodiments, the storage service 102 (or exchange service 104) may maintain inventory of files purchased from members at a discounted price. The storage service 104 (or the exchange service 102) may affect the market price of the file or even set the market price of the file. Using the collected playback, transfer, and storage statistics described above, the storage service 104 (or exchange service 102) may evaluate demand and predict the price of the file. Using market knowledge, storage service 104 (or exchange service 102) encourages users to obtain files that other users will purchase at a higher price in the future (eg, motivates them). Provided). In some embodiments, these features may allow the storage service 104 to provide a user with a track (or other file) almost free of charge (eg, at transaction costs only).

  A playback (or access) service 106 or function according to the present invention may also be implemented as a computer server or host running one or more software applications and / or operating systems. In some embodiments, an operator may control aspects of the server's operation, and in other embodiments, the server may be fully automated. The playback service 106 can be another device, server, or service (eg, via a secure network, for example, directly or indirectly, for example, via an intermediate server or the Internet 114 (eg, Exchange service 102, storage service 104, user devices 108, 110, 112, file distribution servers, etc.) and may communicate therewith. The playback service 106 is at a rate such that more than a few bytes of user files 108, 110, 112 need not be buffered before the bytes of the file are played on the device and deleted or overwritten, for example. A transmission protocol that enables delivery of files to user devices 108, 110, 112 may be used. The user device 108, 110, 112 may prevent the user from storing the received file, or any portion thereof, for any significant or significant amount of time (eg, less than 1 second or received file) Less than the time required to play the part on the device).

  The user may be, for example, a cellular phone, a network computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a satellite radio receiver, a media player that may be modified to access the network (eg, Apple® )) IPod (iPod (registered trademark)), SanDisk (registered trademark) Sansa (registered trademark), Toshiba (Toshiba (registered trademark) Gigabeat (registered trademark)), etc. ), WiFi devices (including, for example, laptop computers, Nokia (R) 770 Internet tablets (Internet Table (R)), etc.) Through 108, 110, 112, may access the playback service 106, or may receive those transmitted from the playback service 106. In some embodiments, the playback service 106 may include an interface 128 (eg, a user and / or operator interface) implemented as a web page (eg, an HTML or XML-based World Wide Web (WWW) page). However, in other embodiments, user devices 108, 110, 112 may include interfaces 118, 120, 122.

  The playback service 106 enables on-demand medialess playback without infringing copyright. The required memory of user devices 108, 110, 112 is minimal and does not change as the user's library of files increases. The playback service 106 further sorts the playback order, selects new files to retrieve, suggests resale of old files, presents market value information for files and / or collections, etc. A playlist or file index management function may be provided. These functions or features may be provided directly by service 106 (eg, via playback service interface 128) and / or by user equipment 108, 110, 112, as will be described in more detail below. May be provided or supported. The playback service 106 creates a copy when the file is delivered to the user device 108, 110, 112 and immediately played on the device 108, 110, 112 and deleted from the device 108, 110, 112. Provides playback with minimal and minimal buffering of files. The playback service 106 may be configured to “stream” the file only to certain user devices 108, 110, 112 that can verify that no received file is stored by the device. For example, the devices 108, 110, 112 are required to run a program that searches the device for file signature or identification information to verify that a previously played file was not stored. May be. As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the term streaming is more important than the receiving device is required for playback services and the received data is required to play data on the device. Is not stored for long (or cannot be stored) and that the transmitted data is transmitted at a rate slightly higher than the playback rate (eg, + 1% to + 5%). It may mean a transfer protocol. In some embodiments, streaming may be implemented using various voice over internet protocols (VOIP). In some embodiments, personal encrypted casting (e.g., buoy cast (V-Cast (R)) provided by Verizon (R)) may be used. .

  In some embodiments, the playback service 106 limits playback to user devices 108, 110, 112 that are registered with and / or under the control of the playback service 106. May be. For example, the playback service 106 can access the user devices 108, 110, 112 to verify compliance with certain user obligations, eg, not storing the played back file. There may be. In some embodiments, an agent (eg, an autonomous software module) on the user device 108, 110, 112 to monitor user compliance and the operation of the user device 108, 110, 112. It may be required to be performed. The monitoring agent may return reports to the playback service 106 periodically, randomly, and / or before or after each file playback, for example using an encrypted message. Playback may be limited by a specific length of time and / or to a specific number of file accesses / “playbacks”.

  In some embodiments, the playback service 106 may provide facilities that allow various users to share information about their respective play lists with each other. For example, the first user may use the playback service 106 to publish a list and description (eg, an audio recording of the user's comments) of the user's favorite music tracks. Other users may then use the playback service 106 to find and access a list of first users. The playback service 106 also automatically passes relevant information for initiating a transaction to the exchange service 102 so that the user can exchange one or more of the first user's music tracks with the exchange service 102. It may be easy to obtain via

  Like the other services 102, 104, the playback service 106 sets prices, determines the value of files, for marketing or advertising purposes, for inventory management purposes (eg, relevant). Log usage statistics to create or provide upsell opportunities (such as additional offerings of products or services), to determine membership levels / status / qualifications, and to perform audits It may be recorded, aggregated, and calculated. This information is further used to enable playback service 106 or an integrated service such as exchange service 102 and / or storage service 104 to purchase / obtain files for sale to a user. May be. The information may also be used to determine the demand for a particular file and / or to determine an appropriate price that the exchange service 102 should pay to obtain the file, eg, for resale. Good. In some embodiments, the aggregated information may be used to predict future demand for the file and to provide buyback guarantees or provisions to the purchaser of the file.

  In some embodiments, the playback service 106 keeps the system 100 compliant with copyright laws and / or file licensing regulations by locking an instance of the file so that the file cannot be accessed. You may be sure that For example, if the system 100 (or its user) has X licenses for playing back a particular music track, the playback service 106 may perform parallel playback at any given time. The playback may be limited to instances of X or less instances. Such a limitation could be, for example, a plurality of user devices 108, 110 that would allow one or more users to play back a given music track in parallel. , 112 may be enforced by the playback service 106.

  In some embodiments, the playback service 106 may use time slicing to ensure that the system 100 continues to comply with copyright laws and / or file license regulations. Time slicing of a file allows concurrent access to the file, but only to different parts of the file. For example, in some embodiments, even if only one license for a file is owned by the system 100, the copyright laws and / or file license provisions may be enforced without making a copy of the file. Without infringement, two or more different users may perform parallel access to different parts of the file or parallel playback of different parts of the file. The playback service 106 allows two or more users to play different parts of a file at any given time so that there are never more than one instance of any part of the file at any given time. It may be ensured that back or access is taking place. As used herein, the term concurrent means that two or more copies of a file are played simultaneously but not necessarily synchronized (eg, one playback is more than another playback). And the term “same parts being played played simultaneously” means that playback is synchronized (eg, both plays). Note that it may mean that backs are started simultaneously). Using these terms, the playback service 106 may allow parallel playback of files without the same portion of the file being played simultaneously. More generally, the present invention may allow parallel access to a file without the same part of the file being accessed simultaneously.

  The present invention may be implemented as an Internet portal, in which, for example, an integrated embodiment of the exchange service 102, storage service 104, and playback service 106 is provided by a number of retailers, distributors. May be accessible along with related products and services of copyright owners and third parties. The integration may be such that the user does not recognize the separate operation of the different services 102, 104, 106. In some embodiments, services 102, 104, 106 are actually implemented as one service, as two services, or as four or more services, instead of the three specific services described above. May be.

  In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as an online library. The user may access an Internet portal (as described above) that lends the file to the user without making a copy of the file. The online library may charge a membership fee and / or may request donation to the library's collection of files. In some embodiments, the online library may be implemented as just an alternative interface or overlay on the commercial internet portal described above. In some embodiments, a user may “borrow” a file over a period of time (or over a certain number of playbacks) while the user may be able to use the file exclusively.

  In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a collection of files owned by an entity such as a company or joint venture. An entity member or owner may be required to own the entity's equity stake in order to be granted access to the entity's files. In some embodiments, file and / or capital contributions may qualify an individual to become an equity holder. A file owned by an entity may be held as an equity holder's joint asset, and the equity holder accesses the file via an Internet portal (also described above) in the same manner as described above for the online library. You may be allowed to. An entity's equity may be publicly sold, for example, by initial public offering (IPO). The IPO may be used to raise funds to obtain a file for an entity, or to make up for the equity holder's contribution to the entity. In some embodiments, the entity may obtain the copyright of the file. In some embodiments, a copyright owner may donate copyright to an entity in exchange for the entity's equity.

  User devices 108, 110, 112 may include new types of devices and variations of commercially available devices that have been modified to include features that specifically enable implementation of the present invention. For example, an Apple (Apple®) iPod (iPod®) has a wireless communication function and has a limited memory for file storage (or has a memory). May be created). Such a device may be configured to receive files and to play back without storing those files. Instead of showing the files stored on the device, the ipod file management interface will remotely manipulate and access the files associated with the user in the storage service 104. As such, it may be configured, or may be available for access via the playback service 106, or may be available for purchase via the exchange service 102. In some embodiments, user devices 108, 110, 112 may include additional hardware features that facilitate other aspects of the invention. For example, the device 108 may include a buy / sell button that allows the user to sell the highlighted file on the device interface 118 if the user owns the file, or if the user has Allows the user to indicate to the exchange service 102 to purchase if he does not own the file. The device 108 may include a preview button that allows a user to access a limited portion of the file as a preview. In some embodiments, for example, the device 108 can be trade buttons, playback, search, and / or “VCR” control buttons that facilitate faster transactions, dials, slides, shuttles, sticks, And / or trackpads and / or game controls that facilitate interaction with services 102, 104, 106, and / or files. Other hardware features such as display screens and vibration / audible alarms may also be included.

  In some embodiments, the device 108 may have a limited coverage area. For example, the device may provide 802.11g LAN connectivity to the Internet 114, WiFi Internet 114 access, and / or an RF-based communication protocol for accessing the Internet 114. Reception may be limited based on transmission time and / or distance to an Internet access point or host (eg, a user's desktop PC). In some embodiments, the host may be on a network that serves as a controlled link to connect to the services 102, 104, 106. In some embodiments, a portion of a host (eg, a portion of a user's hard drive) is used as a local (distributed) storage for files, eg, under exclusive control of storage service 104. Also good. In some embodiments, the system 100 may operate using an encrypted file that may be stored on the user's personal computer, and playback is associated with the system 100. Alternatively, it may be enabled only through a user device registered in the system 100. For example, a wireless device such as the above-mentioned wireless / memoryless modified iPod (ipod), FM receiver, mobile phone, or other device is configured to play back only signals received from a specific personal computer May be. Similarly, the personal computer may be configured to transmit only to a specific user device. In some embodiments, the wireless / memoryless modified iPod (iPod) described above may be implemented as a phone with VOIP functionality. Further, such a telephone may receive a VOIP signal via a wireless protocol, such as a WiFi protocol, for example.

  In some embodiments, user equipment 108 may be mounted in a vehicle (implemented as a WAN / satellite signal receiver), for example. Such a device can be used when the vehicle is within the transmission range of a user PC (eg, transmission range such as wireless LAN, 802 protocol, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) or user PC. From within the transmission range, eg via mobile phone, RF signal and / or radio phone etc. (eg as described above without copying or eg limited playback times) The file may be received or downloaded (with playback restrictions, etc.). The device may include a removable head unit that may be permanently mounted in the vehicle or may be connected to other playback devices or PCs.

  In some embodiments, the user device 108 may be implemented as a conventional mobile phone or wireless PDA that is configured to receive a call and in which a file is played back to the user. Digital protocols such as VOIP may be used to improve sound quality and to ensure that files are not copied. In some embodiments, multi-channel (eg, stereo) information may be encoded in the digital signal, and the phone decodes the multi-channel information upon receipt of the signal, creating, for example, stereo sound It may be configured to do so. The telephone may be further configured to play back multi-channel sound, for example by using connected stereo headphones, or a multi-channel amplifier and speaker system. A cradle on a desktop or mounted in a car may be used to facilitate the connection of a telephone or PDA to stereo headphones or to a multi-channel amplifier and speaker system.

  In some embodiments, services 102, 104, 106 and user devices 108, 110, 112 may include interfaces 116, 126, 128, 118, 120, 122, respectively. As described above, the user device interfaces 118, 120, 122 may be any number of hardware interface features to facilitate operation of the devices 108, 110, 112 and interaction with the devices 108, 110, 112. May be included. Similarly, service interfaces 116, 126, 128 include any number of hardware interface features to facilitate the operation of and interaction with services 102, 104, 106. But you can. In addition, both service interfaces 116, 126, 128 and user device interfaces 118, 120, 122 are responsible for the operation of services 102, 104, 106 and user devices 108, 110, 112, and services 102, 104, 106 and users. Software-based interface features may be included to facilitate interaction with the devices 108, 110, 112. For example, the user's playlist may be integrated or linked with the exchange service 102 (eg, to make a purchase offer, make a marketing offer, and / or to indicate the current value of each of the user's files). Good. The list of files for sale in exchange service 102 may indicate the type of transaction or transfer available for each file.

  Interfaces 116, 126, 128, 118, 120, 122 may include software interface features that provide access to the recommendation system, in which information about the file and / or actual file samples may be included Or a user on the “friends” list. The device may include a graphical user interface that supports playback of all file types (eg, video, music, applications, games, ASPs, databases, etc.) and access to those file types. The software interface may support security features such as login protocols and automated features such as automatic login or “no click” file purchase methods. For example, the exemplary wireless ipod (iPod) described above (or any other media player hardware / software device) automatically logs into the storage service 104 and provides the necessary authentication information (eg, username and password). And a list of the user's music tracks may be obtained. In some embodiments, a portion of the requested login is machine input, such as a medium access control (MAC) identifier, of an exemplary wireless ipod (iPod) and / or some of its components. It may be information. In other words, some information does not need to be entered by the user, but the device is also configured to send the information so that the information may be used for login / security / authentication purposes. May be. In some embodiments, the software interface allows default login information to be changed and allows a user to activate or deactivate, for example, an automatic login feature. As such, it may be configurable.

  Interfaces 116, 126, 128, 118, 120, 122 may further include software interface features that support repurchase of previously owned files. For example, a user's “playlist” or list of files may have instructions for files that were previously owned but subsequently sold (eg, the song name is visible on the playlist but is grayed out). Or otherwise have a different appearance). If the file or equivalent (ie, the same music track but a copy of a different user) is currently on sale, such information may be indicated (eg, a star next to the list, “Buy-now” icon). Interfaces 116, 126, 128, 118, 120, 122 may further include software interface features that aid in the purchase of music. In some embodiments, the exchange service interface 116 may include transaction features such as file selection controls, payment controls, term selection controls. The exchange service interface 116 is further configured to allow the user to instruct the storage service 104 to purchase the file on behalf of the user or other member or customer, a graphical user interface (GUI). Controls may be included.

  In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may purchase financial instruments from the user and / or sell financial instruments to the user. For example, the exchange service 102 may sell a file repurchase agreement and / or a file futures contract. File buyback commitments from file owners include both a first commitment to fund exchange for a file and a second commitment to buy back the file. A file futures contract is a contract that may be traded through the exchange service 102 to purchase or sell a file at a preset price on a specific date in the future. For example, the exchange service 102 may allow a user to purchase a contract that specifies that the exchange service 102 will sell a particular music track to the user for one dollar in a year. If the value of the music file is greater than the dollar plus the contract price, the user will benefit.

  In some embodiments, the exchange service 102 may generate a market data feed. Similar to Reuters® or Bloomberg® data feeds, prices for various files may be continuously reported in data feed formats. Interfaces 116, 126, 128, 118, 120, 122 may display feeds or information contained in the feeds to users and / or operators of system 100. In some embodiments, information from the exchange service 102 (eg, market data feed) may be used to provide file collection pricing or value information to the user. For example, a user's entire collection of music may be priced or evaluated based on, for example, the total current market value of each music track that the user owns.

  In some embodiments, the file transfer or communication protocol used by system 100 is specifically configured to ensure that files transmitted using that protocol are not stored or copied. Also good. More specifically, the system 100 of the present invention can only receive a pre-set maximum number of bytes, or only a portion of a file, after it has been received, processed and deleted (or overwritten) before the subsequent bytes of the file. Using protocols (e.g. implemented in network adapters and / or operating systems of various components of the system) that are allowed to be sent and / or received Also good. For example, the protocol may ensure that music files sent to the user device are processed (eg, played on the device) and deleted as the file is received by the device. Such a protocol ensures that only a limited part of the file is temporarily buffered as long as it is needed to process the file. The protocol may further ensure that the processing of the file does not include transferring the file to memory, storage, or other devices that may collect the file. For example, a protocol can only file a known / registered output device (eg, a particular digital-to-analog converter / amplifier combination) in user device 108, 110, 112 that does not have the ability to store the file. May request that it be transferred. The protocol indicates that an indicator bit, tag, token, or codeword (eg, contained within the transferred file) indicates that the file is copyright protected, and with minimal buffering and in transit Or at the destination may be implemented to communicate to protocol-compliant hardware and software that it should only be transferred without being stored or copied. In some embodiments, protocol-compliant hardware and software may be configured to recognize copyright-protected files by themselves, eg, via a database of file “signatures”. .

  The present invention includes a number of different methods, as indicated above in the description of the apparatus of the present invention. However, to further illustrate aspects of the present invention, two exemplary methods are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Although a particular order of a particular number of steps has been identified, the present invention includes fewer numbers of steps, or any number of additional steps or sub-steps, performed in any feasible order. It will be understood that it may be implemented using.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the first exemplary method 200 begins at step S 1 where a copy of an audio file is stored by the storage service 104. A copy of the audio file is owned by a party that does not store the audio file. In step S 2, a request for playback of the audio file is received by the playback service 106. In S3, it is verified that the request for playback is from the party that owns the file. In some embodiments, the playback service 106 may provide the storage service 104 with an identification password that was automatically provided to the playback service 106 by the user device 108. The custody service 104 may use the password to verify that the stored audio file is associated with the device 108 or the user. For example, the stored audio file may include a copy of the password, and a match between the provided password and the stored password is actually stored by the user of the device 108. The system 100 may be shown to be the owner of the audio file. In step S4, a signal representing a copy of the audio file is transmitted to the user device 108 associated with the owner of the audio file copy. The user device can receive an audio file without receiving any portion of the audio file to receive the signal and longer than the minimum time required by the user device to play the received portion of the audio file. Operate to play.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the second exemplary method 300 begins at step S5, where multiple copies of a file are stored by the storage service 104. Each copy may be associated with a different party. Each party has ownership of at least one of the stored copies of the file. In step S6, the playback service 106 provides concurrent remote playback of a copy of the file to the party without infringing the copyright owner of the file's copyright owner. In step S7, the playback service 106 limits the number of parallel remote playback transmissions based on the number of stored copies. In step S8, playback to the party requesting playback is delayed until the number of concurrent remote playback transmissions is less than the number of stored copies. For example, once the remote playback transmission is complete, the number of concurrent remote playback transmissions decreases and the system 100 responds to the party requesting a new playback transmission of the file with a new playback transmission. Allow to start.

  The foregoing description discloses only certain embodiments of the invention, and modifications of the methods and apparatus disclosed above that are within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Let's go. Thus, although the invention has been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that other embodiments may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Should be understood.

100 System 102 Exchange Service 104 Storage Service 106 Playback Service 108, 110, 112 User Device 114 Internet 116, 118, 120, 122, 126, 128 Interface 124 Repository 200 First Exemplary Method 300 Second Exemplary Method

Claims (9)

A device for the use and management of electronic files,
  The electronic file or a part of the electronic file is played back, or a playback service for accessing the electronic file or a part of the electronic file is connected to be communicable,
  Sending a playback request for the electronic file to the playback service;
  Receiving the electronic file from the playback service;
  Play the received electronic file,
  After playing the electronic file, to verify that the played electronic file was not stored on the device, search the device for the signature or identification information of the electronic file,
  Reporting to the playback service using a message that the played electronic file was not stored on the device;
  apparatus. Permits the subsequent bytes of the electronic file to be received after receiving only the preset maximum number of bytes in the electronic file received from the playback service based on a predetermined file transfer or communication protocol To
  The apparatus of claim 1. Deleting at least a part of the electronic file received from the playback service based on a predetermined file transfer or communication protocol;
  The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. With an output device without the ability to store files,
  Based on a predetermined file transfer or communication protocol, the electronic file is transferred only to the output device, and the electronic file is not transferred to a memory, a storage device, or any other device that may collect the electronic file.
  Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Playing at least a portion of the electronic file based on a predetermined file transfer or communication protocol without making a copy of the electronic file;
  Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Receiving the electronic file streamed from the playback service at a predetermined transmission rate from the playback service;
  Play the received electronic file at a playback speed lower than the transmission speed,
  Do not store the electronic file for a time longer than that required to play the received electronic file;
  Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Providing the storage service with a unique identifier of the device as authentication information for logging into the storage service storing the electronic file;
  The device according to claim 1. Periodically reporting to the playback service using an encrypted message that the played electronic file was not stored in the device;
  Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Report to the playback service at random using an encrypted message that the played electronic file was not stored in the device;
  Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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